Expansion joint



D. G. FAWKES EXPANSION JOINT Jan. 5, 1965 Filed Feb. 2o, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan 5, 1965 D. G. FAwKEs 3,164,401

EXPANSION JOINT Filed Feb. 20. 1961 4 SheetsSheet 2 Jan. 5, 1965 D. G. FAwKEs 3,164,401

EXPANSION JOINT Filed Feb. 20, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet -3 D. G. FAWKES EXPANSION JOINT Jan.- 5, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 20. 1961 United States Patent O EXPANSIGN JOINT Donald G. Fawkes, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Henry Pratt Company, a corporation of Iliinois Filed Feb. 2.0, 1961, Ser. No. 90,562 8 Claims. (Cl. 285 229) i This invention relates to a pipe coupler assembly and more particularly to a fiexible coupler assembly for large diameter pipes.

In various installations the connecting of large diameter pipes and fittings create numerous problems. Often the adjacent ends or" the pipes or fittings are not suiiicient- 1y well aligned to facilitate the use of a conventional bolted or clamped flange connection. In replacing a sec-v tion oi pipe, or a fitting in a pipeline, it is often difiicult to properly size and install a closely fitting section of pipe, and it may be impractical, if not impossible, to move the ends of the old piping outwardly to admit the new section and to then move the old piping into endwise abutting relationship. Under some conditions connections between large diameter pipes or fittings may be subject to vibration, as occurs with a steam turbine and condenser connection. Relatively frequent replacement may be necessary, particularly with flexible underground water or sewer main connections, so that ease of handling as well as ease of replacement is a major factor. It may be difiicult to bring a large size replacement connector to the vicinity of the installation, possibly because of inadequate entrance-ways or equipment blocking a path to the installation site.

By way of specific example, a high capacity turbine often has a large diameter downwardly extending outlet for uum createdpby rapid condensation of steam passing f therethrough. For these reasons a exible coupler which is easily handled and installed is desirable. Ey way of a further specific example, a valve installed in a large diameter pipeline may require periodic servicing and removal 1 from the pipeline. A close iitting connection between the lvalve and adjacent ends of pipe sections make removal and installation extremely difficult. Although flexible couplers such as are readily available for smaller diameter piping would appear to be a logical solution, such couplers 4generally have not proven to be satisfactory for large diameter piping, in part because of the greaterk loads 'encountered, and the difficulty in providing a' secure and safe connectionV between the endsof the coupler and the spaced* apart ends of the pipe sections.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a new 55 and improved coupler assembly for pipelines..

An important object of this invention is to provide a new and improved tiexible coupler assembly for easyk handling and installation onV large diameter piping.

Another object of this invention is to provide a coupler assembly which permits relatively great tolerances in the fittingV of components of a piping system. s Still another object is to provide a large diameter pipe coupler assembly which may be compacted for easier i handling.

A still further` object is the provision of a coupler assembly forjoining large diameter pipes wherein a ilexible annulus having end sections telescopically received over and connected with adjacent pipe sectionsprovides a I passageway for fiuid therebetween, witha ui`d-tightfseal between the annulus end sections and the adjacentpipe sections, and means urging the end sections radially int ICC wardly and providing a tight and secure connection with the pipe sections. l

These and other objects and advantages will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates one embodiment of a coupler assembly joining adjacent ends of roughly aligned pipe sections which may be disposed in any direction;

FIGURE 2 is a section taken substantially as indicated along the line 2 2 of FIGURE l.;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged section taken substantially as indicated along the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged section taken substantially as indicated along the line 4 4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged section taken substantially as indicated along the line 5 5 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 6 is a section, similar to FIGURES, of another embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 7 issimilar to FIGURE l but illustrates another embodiment of a coupler assembly;

FIGURE 8 is a section taken substantially as indicated along the line 3 8 of FIGURE 7; and K FIGURES 9, l0, and il are fragmentary, enlarged sections taken, respectively, generally along the lines 9 9, id lt) and M II of FIGURE 8.

The invention is, in brief, directed to a coupler assembly for joining adjacent ends of large diameter pipes or fittings. For easy handling and transportation to the point of installation, the coupler assembly may be compactly packaged and is simply arranged for installation. Included in the coupler assembly is a exible and re silient annulus which has opposite enlarged end sections telescopically received over adjacent pipe sections with a relatively soft seal urged into tight sealing engagement between the adjacent pipe sections and end sections by a series of closely spaced arcuate segments interlocking and overlying each annulus end section and pipe section. Clamping means are tightly secured around each series of segments to complete the assembly.

Referring to FIGURES 1-5 of the drawings, a pair of large diameter Vpipe sections l@ and lll are provided with meansiin the form of a coupler securely connecting the pipe sections in such a manner that precise alignment of the pipe sections is unnecessary, and in whichthe pipe sections are connected for relative movement therebetween both longitudinally and radially, as by vibration and expansion and contraction between the pipe sections;l The pipe sections may be, easily connectedin the field because close tolerances therebetween are lof no consequence. Secure kfluid tight attachment to each pipe section provides a durable, easily replaced, vibration absorbing coupler assembly which may be conveniently compacted for easier transportation andv` handling at the point of installation. In this instance a coupler assembly l2 between the pipe sections I@ and' lll has` a resilient coupler member in the 'form of an annulus or sleeve I3. The annulus 13 has a pair of cylindrical end sections `14 each telescopically received on the opposite pipe sections It) and I1. The inner face of each annulus end section I4 has a circumfer# ential rectangular groove receivingV sealing means in the form of a close fitting relatively soft sealing ring 15, preferably of rubber having a durometer hardness of about 35, and secured therein in any suitable manner as by adesive. Prior to being installed on the pipe sections, the

, sealing rings 15 are su'iicientlythick as to protrude slightly past the inner face of the annulus end sections I4.

In order to provide'` a dependablel connection between large diameter pipe sections, the annulus 13 must be securely attached to the pipe sections in a iiuid tight man-Y ner. This is here accomplishedI by a lirst'abutment on each end section I4 and a cooperating second abutment fixed on the respective Apipe sections iii and l. ln the present instance the cooperating abutments taire the orm oi` outwardly extending flanges l? on the end sections iid and cooperating inwardly extending rst flanges i8 on rigid arcuate segments 19 of a series of `segments Ztl extending circumierentiaily around each end section 1.4, with each segment slightly spaced from adjacent segments few thousandths of an inch. The inner ends of the iirst ilanges i3 are rounded to more evenly distribute the stress on the annulus i3. Each arcuate segment 19 has a second inwardly extending ilange 2l with an inner face engaging the outer surface of respective pipe sections it? and li to limit the clamping action of the segment on the end section.

The segments 19 are each restrained against movement longitudinally of the pipe sections to positively anchor the annulus i3 on the pipe sections, and in the present embodiment a pair of pins 22 are each received in an aperture in each arcuate segment i9 and an aligned socket in the adjacent pipe section. End sections 1d and theirsealing'rings l5 are urged into iiuid tight engagement with the adjacent pipe sections and are retained securely anchored on the adjacent pipe section by the series of arcuate segments 2t! which are embraced by cables 23 received in grooves in the outer face or" each arcuate segment 19, and overlying the end sections and sealing rings. To facilitate installation of the coupler assembly a pair vof bails 24 are secured to each arcuate segment and overlie the cable to retain the cable properly in place on the series of segments 2i). It has been found that the installation of the coupler assembly can be made easier by limiting the length of the cables 23, preferably to about 55 inches, and in the illustrated embodiment two cables 23 encircle a pipe approximately three feet in diameter. The coupling assembly is, of course, suitable for use on much larger pipe sections.

Means tor conveniently tensioning Vthe cables to urge each series of segments 20 inwardly for urging the adjacent annulus end section IA into tightly clamped engagernent with the pipe section, here are also arcuate segments in the form of saddle blocks 25. Each saddle block has'itsr second flange 2l freely received on the outer surface of the respective pipe sections and il, that is the lsaddle blocks are not pinned to the pipe sections, but otherwise having the same structure as the arcuate segments V1li, previously described, with the addition of means for` tensioningthe cables Z3. These means are here in the form of outwardly extending arms 26 having outwardly diverging adjacent faces supporting clamping nuts'i27 thrcadedly received on threaded sleeves 23 secure- .adjacent pipe sections bythe interlocking ilanges i7y and 1S. l Each saddle is provided with'a pair of earsd extending circumferentially .outwardly and overlying the adjacent arcuatesegments i9. Y

The annulus i3 ispreferably flexible and resilient'rand must withstand the pressurewithin the pipeline, it must be resistant to abrasion, with VsuiiicientV 'body to remain clamped within the arcuate segments l@ and should be capablevoi `beingjfolded to form a compact mass for easier handling.V

' .cord mesh,V eightounces per square yard, and a suitable plasticlmaterial,preferably rubbenjwhich mayhave a In the presentinstance` this is`accomplished through the annulusV i4 being built up of lapped l .layers of fabric, such as rayon orv nylon mesh, and by* 'way of example,- a 4-ply, double twist, reverse woven lock durometer hardness of 55-78, and herein preferably Buna N type rubber, so that the annulus may withstand a design pressure of about l0() p.s.i. within the pipeline. The annulus end portions ld are preferably thicker and more rigid than the arched portion lo, annular recesses les being dened by said portion le adjacent said end portions ift.

interlocking of the annulus end sections 14 with the adjacent series of segments 26 for positively retaining the annulus on the pipe sections itl and il is provided by the cooperating abutments in the form of the franges l? and i3, respectively, of each end section i4 and the adjacent arcuate segments l9 which are pinned to the pipe sections. lt should be noted that the rigid segment ilanges overlie the ends of the pipe sections l0 or il with their inner ends clamped against a radially thin portion of the annulus end sections ifi, and the annulus end sections le are suiiiciently firm and radially enlarged that they are retained clamped within the segments i9 by the segment anges i8.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FEGURE 6 wherein the coupler i2 connects pipe sections itl and il of a pipeline under vacuum. The annulus i3 has opposite end sections i4', generally as previously described, each telescopically received on longitudinally disposed cylindrical flanges 3l of outwardly extending main franges 32 on pipe sections lil and 11. Obstruction of the normal iiow passages of the pipe line by the inwardly arched center portion of the annulus 13 is prevented by main iianges 32 which may extend radially outwardly as far as is necessary. Anchoring of the annulus i3 in a duid tight manner on the pipe sections 10 and 11' is accomplished in this embodiment by means of first abutments on end section-s id interlocked in a manner similar to that previously described, with second abutments on the pipe sections 10 and il'. The end section abutments here take the form of inwardly extending flanges 33 cooperating with outwardly extending circumterential rounded flanges 34 on the outer end of main ilanges 3l extending into annular recesses 16a in the annulus 13 adjacent the end sections ld. Sealing rings i5 are provided in the inner faces o the end sections 14 as previously described. Clamping means for anchoring the end sections 14 on the pipe sections 16 and l1 again include a series of segments 35 each with a plurality of closely spaced arcuate segments 36 clamped against the cylindrical ii'anges 32 by cables 23, as Ipreviously described. In the present instance longitudinal movement of the arcuate segments 36 is prevented by an outwardly extending rectangular circumferential flange 37, on the cylindrical flange 32, received in circumferential grooves in inwardly extending flanges 38 of the arcuate segments 36. Cylindrical flanges 39 overlie and are tightly clamped against the respective end section ld' by clamping means as previously described, and the inner face oi the cylin drical lianges 39 are preferably provided with a gripping portion in the form of a lcnurled or toothed surface 4G.

Another embodiment 1of clamping means for anchoring Ithe lannulusend sections on the pipe sections is illustrated in FlGURES 7-l l, and is equally applicable to all 'of the foregoing embodiments, but is illustrated as applied to the embodiment of FIGURES 1 5. As previously described, the pair of annulus end sections i4 are telescopioally received on opposite pipe sections iti and 'lil and are clamped to the respective pipe sections by a series of rigid arcuate segments 41 having annulus engaging portions as described in conjunction with FIGURES l-S. Each segment 4i has a pair or" bosses d3 each with a tangenti-al hole ftd 'and groove :i5 aligned with a similar tangential groove and hole on adjacent segment 41. Nuts lid are threaded on opposite bolt ends which extend outwardly from the bosses 43. Each nut is tightened down against `a shoulder on the ladjacent boss thereby tightening the series .of segments di around the respective'annulus endV sections i4 to clamp the end sections aie-i401 :e between the Aadjacent pipe sections and series of segments. Split pins resiliently lretained in aligned holes inthe segments 41 and the adjacent pipe section lil or 11 restrain the segments against movement longitudinally oi the pipe sections. As in the other embodiments, adjacent ends of the segments 41 yare slightly spacedirom each other. The bol-ted segment clamping assembly of FIGURES 7-11 may be painted and eliminates vthe need of the ears 30 which extend outwardly from the ends of saddle blocks 25.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom `for some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A coupling for use in connecting axially spaced, juxtaposed pipes, comprising: :an annular resilient sleeve having axially opposite radially enlarned end portions adapted to extend about the opposed ends ot axially spaced pipes, said sleeve having lan arched portion projecting radially outwardly between said end portions and delining a radially outwardly opening annular recess adjacent each of said end portions; a pair of annular retainers for securing the sleeve end portions to the pipe ends, each of said retainers comprising at least vthree end-rto-end aligned arcuate segments each having an axially outer portion adapted to extend circurnjacent the pipe end axially outwardly of one sleeve end portion, said outer portion having a radially inner cylindrical surface, an axially extending middle portion having an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of said outer portion, and an inner portion, said inner portion being spaced radially outwardly of the pipe end a distance less than the spacing of the middle portion radially outwardly of the pipe end; means for drawing the segments into a tight annular comiguration about the Ipipe end with the inner cylindrical surface of said outer portion of the segments engaging the pipe end,

.the enlarged end portion of the sleeve being disposed between said mid-portion of the segments Vand the pipe end, the portion of the sleeve dening said annu-lar recess being disposed between said inner portion of the segments and the pipe end and being tightly compressed therebetween, said inner portion of the segments abutting the adjacent enlarged end portion and arched portion of the sleeve; and means for retaining the segments against movement axially of the pipe end.

2. A coupling as specified in claim 1 including-annular sealing means formed of `a material softer than said sleeve end sections and mounted in annular grooves in the respective end sections.

3. The coupling of claim 1 whereinthe means -for draw-ing the segments comprises a pair of cables each extending approximately 180 about the annular retainer and means on diametrically opposed segments-for securing one end of each of said cables, including means for drawing the cables tightly about said retainer.

4. The coupling of claim l wherein the means for drawing the segments comprises flange means on the opposite end portions of each segment and bolt means cooperating with the flange means for forcibly urging juxtaposed segments toward each other.

5. A coupling as speciiied in claim 1 wherein said segments of each retainer are slightly spaced from adjacent segments.

6. A coupling for use in connecting axially spaced, juxtaposed pipes, comprising: .an annular resilient sleeve having axially opposite radially enlarged end portions adapted to extend about the opposed ends 0f axially spaced pipes, said sleeve having an arched portion projecting radially inwardly between said end portions md deiining a radially inwardly opening annular recess adjacent cach of said end portions; a pai-r of annular retainers for securing the sleeve end portions to the pipe ends, each of said retainers comprising at least three endto-end aligned 'arcuate segments each having van axially outer Vportion adapted to extend circumjacent the pipe end axially outwardly oi one sleeve end portion, said Y outer portion having a radially inner cylindrical surface,

an axially extending middle portion having an inn-er diameter greater than the inner diameter of said outer portion, and an inner portion; radially projecting means on said pipe ends, said inner portion of the segments being spaced radially loutwardly of the projecting means on the pipe ends a distance less than the spacing of the midle portion of the segments radially outwardly of the pipe end; mean-s for drawing the segments into a tight annular configuration about the -pipe end with .the inner cylindrical surface of said outer portion of the segments engaging the pipe end, the enlarged end portion of the sleeve being disposed between said mid-portion of the segments 'and the pipe end, the portions of the sleeve dening said annu-lar recesses being disposed between said inner portion of .the segments Iand the project-ing means on :the pipe ends and being tightly compressed therebetween, said projecting means abutting the adjacent enlai-ged end portion and arched portion of .the sleeve; and

means for retaining the segments against movement axially of the pipe end. v

7. A coupling as specified in claim 6 wherein said inner portion of said segments includes Vserrated gripping means tightly engaging said sleeve adjacent said end sections and the end sections themselves.

8. A coupling as specified in clairn 6 wherein said inner portion of said segments includes serrated gripping means tightly engaging said sleeve yadjacent said end sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Ian. 21, 

1. A COUPLING FOR USE IN CONNECTING AXIALLY SPACED, JUXTAPOSED PIPES, COMPRISING: AN ANNULAR RESILIENT SLEEVE HAVING AXIALLY OPPOSITE RADIALLY ENLARGED END PORTIONS ADAPTED TO EXTEND ABOUT THE OPPOSED ENDS OF AXIALLY SPACED PIPES, SAID SLEEVE HAVING AN ARCHED PORTION PROJECTING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY BETWEEN SAID END PORTIONS AND DEFINING A RADIALLY OUTWARDLY OPENING ANNULAR RECESS ADJACENT EACH OF SAID END PORTIONS; A PAIR OF ANNULAR RETAINERS FOR SECURING THE SLEEVE END PORTIONS TO THE PIPE ENDS, EACH OF SAID RETAINERS COMPRISING AT LEAST THREE END-TO-END ALIGNED ARCUATE SEGMENTS EACH HAVING AN AXIALLY OUTER PORTION ADAPTED TO EXTEND CIRCUMJACENT THE PIPE END AXIALLY OUTWARDLY OF ONE SLEEVE END PORTION, SAID OUTER PORTION HAVING A RADIALLY INNER CYLINDRICAL SURFACE, AN AXIALLY EXTENDING MIDDLE PORTION HAVING AN INNER DIAMETER GREATER THAN THE INNER DIAMETER OF SAID OUTER PORTION, AND AN INNER POR- 